UPSC Anthropology Optional: Syllabus and Strategy

CSE Anthropology Syllabus, Strategy and Book List.

“Anthropology is the most humanistic of the sciences and the most scientific of the humanities.” – Alfred L.Kroeber.

why anthropology a good option ?

Anthropology is one of the very few subjects in the UPSC Syllabus of which has been cut down considerably over the past several times. Due to the elimination of topics like Ethnicity, Anthropology (Development), Reproductive Biology and many others, the subject has become lighter and popular. Some of the important key features is that many aspirants feel that anthropology subject has less content in the anthropological theory, research methodology etc.

Why anthropology is better than others subjects ?

The Anthropology subject is often choice for science graduates, since it contains elements of science. This enduring quality will attract the science graduates and help to grasp the concepts, theories, and principles of anthropology very easily. The study material for anthropology is also widely available throughout libraries and internet.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR IAS ANTHROPOLOGY OPTIONAL – TIPS AND STRATEGIES

Understand the basics of each topic. They will help you correlate topics which is very important in anthropology.

Always correlate topics while studying and writing answers. You must try and develop interrelationships among the topics. Understand the commonality among concepts (for example, synthetic theory and race formation, though appears to be different are related concepts).

Understand theories in anthropology as this is essential for a good understanding of social anthropology concepts like marriage, family, kinship, political organisation, etc.

Always apply concepts to current issues affecting people; and which are in the news regularly. Tribal issues and concerns are very important. Link current problems and realities especially in the Indian context to theoritical concepts.

Practice diagrams for the physical anthropology part since they fetch more marks and also help explain concepts better.

Always make good notes while you prepare as it helps you remember more and enable better revision.

Always refer to previous year question papers while you prepare so that you get a fair idea about the type of questions and the important topics to study.

1.2 Palaeo – anthropological evidences from India with special reference to Siwaliks and Narmada basin (Ramapithecus, Sivapithecus and Narmada Man).

1.3 Ethno-archaeology in India: The concept of ethno-archaeology; Survivals and Parallels among the hunting, foraging, fishing, pastoral and peasant communities including arts and crafts producing communities.

2. Demographic profile of India — Ethnic and linguistic elements in the Indian population and their distribution. Indian population – factors influencing its structure and growth.

3.1 The structure and nature of traditional Indian social system — Varnashram, Purushartha, Karma, Rina and Rebirth.

3.4 Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity on Indian society.

4. Emergence and growth of anthropology in India-Contributions of the 18th, 19th and early 20th Century scholar-administrators. Contributions of Indian anthropologists to tribal and caste studies.

5.1Indian Village: Significance of village study in India; Indian village as a social system; Traditional and changing patterns of settlement and inter-caste relations; Agrarian relations in Indian villages; Impact of globalization on Indian villages.

5.2 Linguistic and religious minorities and their social, political and economic status.

5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change in Indian society: Sanskritization, Westernization, Modernization; Inter-play of little and great traditions; Panchayati raj and social change; Media and social change.

6.3 Developmental projects and their impact on tribal displacement and problems of rehabilitation. Development of forest policy and tribals. Impact of urbanization and industrialization on tribal populations.

7.1 Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.

7.2 Social change and contemporary tribal societies: Impact of modern democratic institutions, development programmes and welfare measures on tribals and weaker sections.

7.3 The concept of ethnicity; Ethnic conflicts and political developments; Unrest among tribal communities; Regionalism and demand for autonomy; Pseudo-tribalism; Social change among the tribes during colonial and post-Independent India.

8.1 Impact of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and other religions on tribal societies.

8.2 Tribe and nation state – a comparative study of tribal communities in India and other countries.

9.1 History of administration of tribal areas, tribal policies, plans, programmes of tribal development and their implementation.

The concept of PTGs (Primitive Tribal Groups), their distribution, special programmes for their development. Role of N.G.O.s in tribal development.

9.2 Role of anthropology in tribal and rural development.

9.3 Contributions of anthropology to the understanding of regionalism, communalism, and ethnic and political movements.